I founded Alaria Chamber Ensemble in 1983 to be a community based teaching ensemble (at Mannes Extension Division) but we quickly turned into a performing ensemble. Our programming included music of as many periods as we could comfortably address between the members of the group (having a recorder player increased our range back in time) as well as new music.

One of our most successful projects was to involve community in the commissioning of a new work by Ursula Mamlok. I would be happy to consult with anyone on how we did it.